Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-01-12
and To which {. could be reefed. The

ana fastened the GUuS III ACi SAAPPiA5
rope to it; she passed the handles behlnd
the main beam, and drew them through
and firmly knotted them. Then she
stood up. with her feet in the loop, and
jumped and stamped, and the knots held
securely.
''Now," said she, AZ have managed IA
mously. When the sail goes up shall
be sitting in swing, with my head
up; then when it goes down | shall
descend in the same way, head up l
have only to hold FAST by the ropes OF
nv swing, and mind not to touch the
splines. Whatever Will Joe Miller say
when be sees that my opirion is better
than his? After that, he'll never dare TO
call me vulgar names. Little u'penny,
indeed?''
If Miss Triptolema had discovered this
plan unassisted, she would have shown
remarkable ingenuity. But she had not
been unprompted. The preceding year
she had attended fair with her mother,
where she had seen whirligig in which
those who paid a penny were given a
revolution in seats that were swung on
pivots 10 the arms of vast wheel planted
vertically Consequently, Trip was SIM
ply applying to the mill sails a principle
she had seen in operation at the fair.
Nevertheless, it is not every one who
can apply principle. She must not be
denied some credit for what she did.
Having completed her preparations,
Trip sat patiently in her swing waiting
till the miller and his man returned from
their dinner, nothing doubling that they
would set the mill agoing without observ-
ing her.
1t was as she expected. The man came
first, Joe remaining at the house TO give
his mother some change 10 pay bill to
the carrier for some crates.
The man started the mill without cast
ing a look at the sails. The wind caught,
strained the canvas; the woodwork
cracked, heayed; and the wings began to
move. Trip thought that the grass, the
hedges were running away under her feet.
Her first sensation was one of alarm, and
she uttered a slight exclamation; but this
sensation passed rapidly, and was fol-
lowed by a great citation of spirits as the
strong beam carried her up. Her weight
was OF no more account than that OF Il lily
on carriage wheel She did not feel the
breeze, because she sat inside screened by
the canvas, but cold rush OF air came
down on her head, caused by the rapid
upward sweep and displacement.
1t would have been pleasanter if posi-
BILE, to have sat outside. sac would have
seen more of the world: the great bulk of
the mill would not have interviewed be-
tween her and the prospect. But that
was not possible. AS Il babe crows when
swung into the air by the stout arms of
father or mother, 50 did Trip eXclaim with
eXultatiOn as he was carried alott. She
had no fear of the beam giving away-of
her swing swapping. She saw the swal-
lows dashing about her, careless of the
sails, twittering and screaming and quite
indifferent to her presence. She saw away
over the bean field, over the park trees
she saw the roof, the chmneys of the hall
she saw what she had never seen be-
fore, the well in the roof into which
water was pumped to supply the house.
She saw over the housc-away, away,
away-to the blue cleaning river, with
specks on it,
She saw nearer u field and a man in it
working-no-lt was not man, it was q
scarecrow. There were pieces of tin tied
to a string, clickering and flickcring in
the air and sun. She could not hear the
click-shc could not see the flash.
Yonder was the house of the old woman
who took in the washing for the hall.
What Il fluttering of white there was on
the lines, and oh! one blazing red petit
coat, like IL tulip.
The beans labored, groaned: the canvas
tapped; Trip had reached the highest
point of all, she looked over the roof of
the mill.
Now, down, down, she began to 90;
and as she sank IA sensation of sinking
made itself felt in her heart. Now only
did she fear lest her rope should give
way los! bnotG cbC1JI Clio
came down faster than she went up; the
river, the house, the trees, the bean field
went together like a pack of cards.
There was a swimming in her head.
When she reached the ground she would
have leaped down had she dared, but she
knew such leap would lead to broken
bones and, perhaps, death.
Up-up-up again. The panorama,
fan like, unfOlded once more before her.
Again that horrible scarecrow, with the
straw sticking out G the crown Of a bat
tered hat. again the blinking Of the tin
shcrds Her hands chung to the ropes
quivering. Her heart futtered; fear be-
gan to take possession of her, rising like
tide Tears rushed into her eyes She
could see nothing more, except the black
cloud that hung over the metropolis.
She cried, but her cries were drowned by
the crcakiug Of the sails, or lost among
the screams Of the swallows. She felt no
part Of her but her hands, as though she
were all hand nothing but hand clutch
ing Mt the rope. Every other sensation
went away like a disSolving view, and
nothing came in its place An over
towering dread of falling took possession
of her, and with the dread a feeling that
she must throw herself out Of her seat.
Only her viii held her in-hcr will con-
CentratCd in the muscles Of her hands
she was perfectly conscious of what the
result would be should she fall-fall she
mUst-fall she would when swung to the
very apogcc above the gable of the mill
fall and become n shattered heap like
the old miller, Joes father
The horror became sickening. The air
rushed upward, now, blew her hair
above her ears and was cold under her
chin; an infinite abyss opened under her,
her life was pouring out of the palms of
her hands and the soles Of her feet. and
her heart Ind detached itself from her
ribs. and was sinking faster than her
body y spasGodjc CONFUSION came
over her arius, and her hands relaxed
Then. Is her senses were leaving her.
she was c3gr1t, and fcIt strong arms
round her. and Jaw Il white face Ike the
moon in day lit above her, and was
aver of a smell of hour. she remem-
beYed no r'ore.
Whom Trim came u herself he was
lying c&t'.2 lr- sos. and ,Iea Western. with
bowl. was sItiuillins Wa:ar on her face.
con Joe Miller I've been uDp'